Although this medication helps many people with hepatitis C, it may cause people who also have another liver problem called hepatitis B to get worse. Before starting this medication, tell your doctor if you have ever had hepatitis B. Tell your doctor right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of liver disease, such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine or yellowing eyes/skin.

Sofosbuvir is used with other antiviral medications (such as ribavirin, peginterferon, daclatasvir) to treat chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver. It works by reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in your body, which may help your liver recover. Chronic hepatitis C infection can cause serious liver problems such as scarring (cirrhosis), or liver cancer.

Sofosbuvir in combination with other antiviral medications reduces the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body and helps the body's immune system fight the infection. It is not known if this treatment can prevent you from passing the virus to others. Do not share needles, and practice "safer sex" (including the use of latex condoms) to lower the risk of passing the virus to others.

Sofosbuvir must be used in combination treatment to have the best effect. Do not use sofosbuvir alone to treat hepatitis C.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking sofosbuvir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Also read the drug information for your other antiviral medication(s).

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

Continue to take sofosbuvir and your other antiviral medication(s) for the full length of time prescribed, even if your symptoms disappear after a short time. Stopping any of the drugs too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tiredness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, itchy skin, difficulty sleeping, or irritability may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

Before taking sofosbuvir, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

If you have diabetes, your blood sugar may be lower with hepatitis C treatment. This can increase your risk of low blood sugar, so your doctor may adjust your diabetes treatment plan. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low blood sugar such as sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, sofosbuvir should be used only when clearly needed. Sofosbuvir, in combination with ribavirin or peginterferon, must not be used during pregnancy by either the pregnant woman or her male partner. The combination may harm an unborn baby. Two reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) must be used whenever at least one sexual partner is using these medicines together, and for six months after stopping treatment. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, or if you think you or your partner may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using sofosbuvir, in combination with ribavirin or peginterferon, is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

A product that may interact with this drug is:

amiodarone

Other medications can affect the removal of sofosbuvir from your body, which may affect how sofosbuvir works. Examples include rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John's wort, tipranavir/ritonavir, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), among others.

Do not take this medication with other products that contain sofosbuvir.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Lab tests (such as liver function, tests for hepatitis B and C) should be done before you start using this medication, while you are using it, and after completing treatment. Keep all medical and lab appointments.

If you are using this medication with ribavirin, it is recommended that female patients or female partners of male patients take a pregnancy test before starting this medication. A pregnancy test should also be taken every month while using this medication and for 6 months after treatment ends to make sure no pregnancy occurs.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture in the original container. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

Information last revised January 2019.

Copyright(c) 2019 First Databank, Inc.

Selected from NATIONAL DRUG DATA FILE (NDDF) data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc., 2019. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider.

The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your health care professional. You should consult your health care professional before taking any drug, changing your diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.